MTLNOVEL Chapter : AUTHOR'S REFLECTION
In a world where beauty is not just skin-deep, but a deadly illusion, a race of predatory beings known as the Shikiban walks among humanity. These alluring creatures use their mesmerizing charm to lure their victims, and with a single whisper, they devour souls, leaving nothing but empty shells behind. Their existence is hidden from the ordinary world, yet a secret organization called the Kageshiki has made it their mission to hunt them down, to destroy them before they can consume more innocent lives.
Reika Kagetsu never asked for this war. Her life, once ordinary and unremarkable, is torn apart one fateful night—a night of betrayal, bloodshed, and darkness. Waking up in an unfamiliar place, she finds herself at Tenshiko Academy, an elite institution where the next generation of Kageshiki warriors are forged. Here, brutal trials, deadly combat, and harsh training await as she is forced into a world where only the strongest survive. But something isn't right—something that lingers in the shadows. The monsters she hunts don't just fear her; they recognize her. And the man she once trusted, Souta, stands among the academy's elite, watching her with a smirk, as if he orchestrated her entire fate.
At Tenshiko, every trainee must learn to hunt the Shikiban, absorb their power, and become living weapons. But Reika quickly realizes that her path through this brutal training ground isn't just about survival. With each monster slain, she's pushed further toward a truth she isn't ready to face. What truly separates the Kageshiki warriors from the monsters they kill? Is there really a line between hunter and hunted?
As Reika navigates the blood-soaked world of the Kageshiki, where mercy equals death and strength is the only currency that matters, she must confront not just the dangers of the Shikiban but the darker truths about herself. The whispers in the shadows grow louder, and soon Reika must decide whether she is the hunter—or has she already become the prey?